Travel Tips
Getting there: From Germany you can book international outbound and return flights to the Cape Verde islands via TUI,
TUIfly.com
, or with the Portuguese airline TAP including a stopover in Lisbon. The Cape Verdean carrier TACV flies only from Amsterdam to Sal Cape Verde. Flying via Dakar to Praia/Santiago makes sense if you come from Africa.
At present, TUI flies from Munich, Hanover, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf via Boa Vista to Sal Cape Verde (SID) and back the same way.
TAP flies from Germany and Switzerland to Lisbon, and from there to Praia/Santiago or Sal Cape Verde (SID) and back.
Your visitor visa will be issued upon arrival at one of the international airports of the Cape Verde islands. Please note that your passport must be valid at least for another three months. Visa can also be obtained from the Cape Verde embassy in Berlin. Some travel agencies offer their services in this respect.
Due to irregular departure times we do not recommend coming here by boat.
TACV and Halcyonair are the Cape Verde national airlines. At present, only TACV flies to Maio. I recommend you book these flights through a travel agent on Cape Verde, as this creates less stress (see LINKS). This also gives you the occasion to book your necessary accommodation in hotels or guest houses on the way.
In any case, you will have to fly via Praia/Santiago to get to Maio and back.
If getting to Maio seems like a long and tedious trip, look at it in a positive way as a gradual introduction to this new, African culture. There is so much to see, observe and experience on your trip! And on your way back home, your return trip is an ideal moment to reflect on all you have experienced, so that you arrive fully relaxed and in tune.
Money: the Cabo Verde currency is ECV (Cape Verde Escudos, exchange rate €1 = ECV110). For this trip come provided with Euros or Dollars, also in small denominations. Travellers cheques and VISA or MASTERCARD both work well. When arriving in Sal or Praia, it is not always possible to change money immediately. Only hotels or larger restaurants accept payments in Euros, as well as vendors at the airports of Sal and Praia. On Maio Escudos are preferred.
Miscellaneous: Be sure to confirm your international flights with TACV resp. your international carrier. Please inform me or your travel agent by phone or SMS in case of late arrival or any unforeseen problems. We will do our best to help you, but please be aware that I, Elisabeth, may not be able to call you back by phone.
Crime: In the bigger cities and tourist centres there is an unfortunate increase in tourist hold-ups. When you leave the hotel, be sure to deposit all money, passports, tickets, etc. in a safe box there. Just take as much money with you as you need on your outing. At night, do drive door to door by taxi. This will eventually save you hassle and grief.
Adjustments to the time zone mean in winter two, in the summer three hours less than in Germany, respectively in winter one, in the summer 2 hours less than in Portugal.
Dress code: bring light clothing, and something long-sleeved and trousers for the evenings. Please respect that local people pay much attention to being dressed "properly", that Cape Verdean men wear knee-long shorts, and that skinny or topless bathing is not acceptable here - except on empty beaches. Don't bring too many clothes, as laundry dries very quickly here, and you can always use my washing machine! "Sensible" shoes or trainers for walking over the island, flip-flops for the town or beach, sunglasses, a hat or bandanna and some washing detergent is all you need.
Sports outfit: Diving equipment (snorkel, goggles, flippers) and other sports equipment up to a total of 30 kg can be taken at extra charge. As yet, there are no diving or surfing bases. Scubadiving provides good rentals of swimming and diving goggles, flippers, etc.
Health requirements: no special vaccinations are required for Cape Verde. The usual vaccinations against tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, etc, are strongly recommended.
The dengue fever which appeared in the rainy season of 2009 can be treated with PARACETAMOL and vitamin C only. There are no prophylactic shots against dengue fever. You can protect yourself with mosquito repellent. All rooms at the Casita Verde provide mosquito protection, but we can, of course, give not guarantee against mosquito bites.
Medication: a supply of sunscreen (30 or 50), after-sun-lotion, sun protection for the head, mosquito repellent spray or cream, PARACETAMOL, medication and teas against upset tummy or guts, medication for diarrhoea, sore throat or ear aches (wind), bandages/sticking plasters with antiseptic ointment, blister plasters.
I wish you a very pleasant journey!
